A Tiny Implant Is Changing the Future for Dogs in Crisis, One Northern Community at a Time

Hamilton, ON — Over 600 veterinary services delivered in just four visits. Nearly 181 non-surgical birth-control implants administered. One veterinarian with more than 20 years of outreach expertise now leading the charge. And this is only the beginning.

In many remote and northern communities across Ontario, access to veterinary care is extremely limited. Some communities can only be reached by plane, with veterinary teams bringing all supplies and equipment with them. Geographic isolation, the high cost of transport, and the challenge of getting professionals and materials to these regions all create significant barriers. Without consistent access to spay and neuter services, vaccinations, and parasite prevention, animal populations can grow quickly, increasing the risk of disease and placing added strain on communities and the animals in their care.

It is a crisis that has persisted for decades — and for most of that time, these communities have been left to face it alone. Today, the Hamilton/Burlington SPCA (HBSPCA) is doing something about it.

Announcing the Official Launch of the HBSPCA Remote Vet Services Program

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The HBSPCA is officially launching its Remote Vet Services Program — a mobile veterinary initiative designed to reach areas where access to animal care is limited. The program delivers physical exams, vaccinations, parasite prevention, microchipping, population control solutions including non-surgical birth control, and follow-up treatment directly to animals where they live.

But this program is not just about delivering veterinary care. It is about changing the trajectory of an escalating crisis.

The Innovation: Non-Surgical Birth Control the Size of a Grain of Rice

At the heart of the program is the Suprelorin birth-control implant – a rice-sized hormonal implant placed just beneath the skin that suppresses fertility for a minimum of six months. No anaesthesia. No surgery. No surgical facilities required. No extended recovery.

While the program initially focused on dogs, the HBSPCA has also begun using Suprelorin implants in cats, expanding the scope of humane population control in these communities.

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In communities where traditional spay-neuter programs cannot exist, this changes everything. Dogs are treated during a routine wellness visit, with no disruption to their routine, returning to normal activity immediately – slowing the cycle of unmanaged reproduction, litter by litter.

The HBSPCA is currently one of few organizations deploying Suprelorin at this scale in remote veterinary outreach, piloting a preventative approach that bypasses the need for surgical infrastructure entirely.

The Leader Driving the Program

With more than 20 years delivering care in under-resourced settings, Dr. Hornak has been a pioneer in mobile and community-based veterinary medicine, including introducing Ontario’s first accredited surgical trailer—a fully equipped mobile unit bringing high-quality care to communities in need. Her leadership signals the seriousness of the HBSPCA’s commitment — and positions the program as a leader in veterinary innovation across Canada.

“Access to care is one of the most significant factors influencing animal health,” said Dr. Hornak. “Suprelorin gives us a humane, flexible way to reduce unplanned litters where surgery is not an option — and allows us to rethink how preventative care can be delivered.”

The Proof: Results from Early Outreach Visits

In just four outreach visits so far, the HBSPCA has brought critical veterinary care directly to animals in remote and northern communities, delivering more than 600 services, including 500+ vaccinations, nearly 200 microchips, and 181 non-surgical birth-control implants, while examining and treating 400+ animals.

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The results demonstrate both the scale of the need and the tangible impact of bringing innovative veterinary care directly to animals. Owners who received implants for their dogs have reported calmer behaviour, reduced roaming, and fewer aggressive incidents—prompting many to request additional implants. Interest in the program is growing beyond these initial communities, with other northern and remote areas reaching out to the HBSPCA for support in addressing humane population control and animal wellness.

What Comes Next

With the official launch of the Remote Vet Services Program, the HBSPCA will expand outreach in 2026, returning in the spring and increasing the program’s reach.

The goal is clear: reduce preventable suffering, stabilize dog and cat populations humanely, and prove that innovative, evidence-based veterinary care can be delivered anywhere — not just where clinics already exist.

This program is guided by one principle: the well-being of animals comes first. While the communities served may be remote, the focus is on preventing suffering, stabilizing populations humanely, and providing care where it is needed most — because every animal deserves a chance at a healthy, safe life.

For more information about the HBSPCA Remote Vet Services Program or to learn how to support this work, visit our website: HERE